Welcome To The 21st Century: 2002 VRSCA V-Rod

Long associated with classic cruisers, Harley’s retro appeal was in need of a contemporary refresh with the new millennium and the company’s approaching 100th anniversary. To the surprise of many traditionalists, Harley-Davidson released a radical new design that was a departure from all previous Harleys. The 2002 VRSCA V-Rod, Harley’s first foray into liquid-cooled, overhead cam-driven engine design, was a thoroughly modern reinterpretation of the classic Harley equation.

Its Revolution engine, developed in conjunction with Porsche and based on the VR-100 Superbike’s mill, maintained Harley’s classic V-Twin configuration but widened the traditional 45-degree cylinder spread to 60 degrees for a smoother-running power plant. Double overhead cams with four valves per cylinder replaced Harley’s traditional overhead valve layout that had been in use since the 1936 EL Knucklehead. Harley’s most powerful street engine at the time, the first-generation V-Rod put out 115 hp at 8,500 rpm from its 1,130 cc engine.

With a compression ratio of 11.3-to-1 and 74 lb-ft of torque at 7,000 rpm, it was able to do the quarter mile in the mid-11s and top out at about 135 mph. In 2008, the V-Rod was beefed up to 1,250 cc, 125 hp and 85 lb-ft of torque. Harley has since expanded its VRSC (V-Twin, Racing, Street, Custom) line to include the V-Rod Muscle and Night Rod Special in addition to numerous one-off special editions.

One of the V-Rod’s most unique features is that what you think is the fuel tank is in fact a dummy that disguises the engine’s airbox. The fuel tank is actually found under the seat, requiring you to flip it up to fill up.